Many small business owners are driven by entrepreneurial inspiration to start their own companies. Small businesses drive new jobs and innovative ideas. However, for all the "pros" which accompany running your own business - the thrill of bringing a new idea to market, fulfilling a goal, flexible schedules - there are also challenges. Owning the business may be the simple part. Running it smoothly and profitably often can prove difficult. Following are five financial management tips that should assist in running your small business more effectively so that you can enjoy all the "pros" that influenced the decision to own a small business in the first place.
1 Develop a Budget - This is critical to the success of any business. A budget that lists your projected revenue and expenses serves as a road map in guiding business decisions and making sure you carefully consider financial decisions with the "big picture" in mind. When you create a budget, you can see the cash inflows and outflows. A budget functions as a financial barometer, allowing you to project accordingly, optimize and manage cash flow, as well as anticipate future financial needs.
2 Stay Abreast of Your Financials - As a small business owner, implement a routine practice of reviewing your financial reports. Staying abreast of your financials also equates to maintaining up-to-date accounting and bookkeeping records, as well as managing your expenses, payables and receivables. Timely and accurate access to updated financials allows you to make informed decisions quickly that could significantly impact your company's profitability.
